This comprehensive, illustrated guide includes photographs of a variety of Royal tiaras together with those of French and Russian Imperial provenances. Geoffrey Munn has been granted special access to the photographic archives of many famous jewellers, including Cartier, Boucheron and Faberge, for his research. Other makers include Garrards, Castellani, Giuliano, Lalique, Fouquet and Tiffany. Many of the stunning tiaras featured also have great historical significance and their provenance is explained fully by the author, who is a specialist in jewellery and metalwork.

Table of Contents

Chapter One - Profane to Sacred Chapter Two - Dressing the Hair Chapter Three - Court and Social Chapter Four - Return to Sources Chapter Five - The Tiara and the Costume Ball Chapter Six - Russia and the Russian Style Chapter Seven - In and Out of America Chapter Eight The Tiara as a Work of Art Chapter Nine - Royal and Imperial France Chapter Ten - Tiaras as Crown Jewels Chapter Eleven - Art Deco and Beyond

About the Author

Geoffrey Munn is the Managing Director of Wartski Ltd, a firm of antique dealers in London specialising in European precious metalwork. He is co-author of Pre-Raphaelite to Arts and Crafts Jewellery and author of both Castellani and Giuliano - Revivalist Jewellers of the 19th Century and The Triumph of Love - Jewellery 1530-1930. He is also the jewellery specialist on the BBC's Antiques Roadshow.

Reviews

"...lavish and beautifully illustrated new study...[Geoffrey Munn's] text is perfectly balanced between sober art and historical chops (as when discussing three tiaras designed by Prince Albert for Queen Victoria) and giddy appreciation (discussing a tiara made for drag comedienne Dame Edna Everage" Publishers Weekly